Kolkata-born aspiring singer wins 'The Stage 3'

Mumbai, Dec 3 : Kolkata-born Siddhant Sharma has been named the winner of the English singing talent show "The Stage 3".

He had auditioned for "The Stage" last season but did not make it past the auditions. After training for a year, he returned to the show for its third season.

This time, he impressed the judges -- Vishal Dadlani, Ehsaan Noorani, Monica Dogra and Devraj Sanyal -- and emerged as the show's winner by beating his co-contestants Urgen Yolmo, Zoe Siddharth and Arish Bhiwandiwala.

While the top four contestants will get to perform at Vh1 Supersonic 2018 in Pune next year, the winner received a Renault KWID and a contract with MTV Music Project as well.

On the highs and lows at "The Stage", Sharma told IANS: "It's been really crazy. My journey started with 'The Stage 2'. Just a few weeks before 'The Stage 2', I had decided that I wanted to sing. I went for the auditions but I couldn't go further."

"I went back home with positive vibes and worked on myself. I came to Mumbai so I could be away from friends, family and everything that would distract me from practising."

Before the third season's audition, he initially thought of not going as he felt that he needed some more time to train himself.

"But a few people asked me to do it. I gave it a shot, sent my video on the last day of submission of forms without any expectations. I got a call, went for the audition. Then I was chosen for top 50," he said.

Later, he got a spot in the top 35.

"From there, only 10 were to be chosen. That was a mad run. Then it was more about discovering myself. What pushed me hard was when I got benched for the first time," he said.

"I had decided that whatever would happen, I would go back stronger. In the next round, I was fortunate enough to secure the first immunity pin of the season. The ride has been insane but it's all worth it," he added.

The final song he performed on the show was "Too much love will kill you" by rock band Queen.

Sharing a little about himself, the 22-year-old said: "I was in Kolkata till class five. Then went to a boarding school in Kurseong. Apart from music, I love riding bikes, painting and travelling and trekking."

The show's grand finale, which also saw actress Neha Dhupia as a guest judge, was aired on Colors Infinity on Sunday.